Surat: Athwalines police have uncovered a major courier theft racket involving delivery personnel stealing expensive items from Amazon courier parcels. Police have arrested four individuals, including three delivery boys, for allegedly stealing mobile phones and tablets from consignments.

The arrested individuals are Mohammad Altaf Ghulam Hussain Sheikh (49), Bhuddhi Kashinath Mistry (20), Ayush Ranjitbhai Patel (20), and Salman Suleman Sheikh (23). The police recovered 11 stolen mobile phones and tablets worth ₹2.32 lakh, along with a tempo used in the crime.

According to the complaint lodged by Rajesh Brij Bihari Agarwal, owner of Current Systems in Nanpura, between April 17 and May 31, he sent 109 parcels containing mobiles and tablets to the Amazon centre via Amazon courier. However, only 95 parcels reached their destination 14 mobiles and tablets were found missing, prompting the complaint.

During the investigation, it emerged that Mohammad Altaf Sheikh was the mastermind behind the theft network. He reportedly colluded with the delivery boys to steal expensive gadgets from courier parcels. Police said the accused used to identify parcels containing costly items like smartphones and tablets. While the parcels were in transit, they would discreetly open them, remove the items, and repack them carefully so that no one noticed the tampering. The stolen items were later sold in the market at cheap prices.

Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended Mohammad Sheikh near Jalaram Danachana in Nanpura while he was attempting to sell stolen mobile phones. The police seized five phones worth ₹1.01 lakh from him. Three others were also arrested later and all four accused have been booked. The police has recovered stolen property worth ₹2.92 lakh in total. Further investigation is underway to determine whether more people are involved in the racket. DeshGujarat